Waltham serial numbers

Wheel pivots are the coarsest used in the model. A "A" stands for "Adjusted. They may have a gold center wheel. The balance wheel may have one pair of gold mean-time screws, but the other balance screws are usually still brass. An "A"-grade balance staff may have one oil groove and intermediate pivots. Wheel pivots are intermediate in size. P "P" stands for "Positions. They almost always have a gold center wheel and the highest grades have an entirely gold train.

Usually they also have gold jewel settings. The balance wheel usually has gold balance screws, and often has two pair of gold mean-time screws. A "P"-grade balance staff may have two oil grooves and has the finest pivots.

The wheel pivots are the finest used on the model. AWCo This material grade is not marked in the database but does appear in the material catalogs. P grade material will function in an American Watch Co. In particular for the model, the AWCo grade material is unique and was much more expensive. Size "Size" refers to the size of the movement, using the "Lancashire Gauge" system for measuring watch sizes. Plate "Plate" refers to the design of the top plate.

FP "FP" stands for "Full Plate" only the balance wheel and balance cock are visible and located above the top plate, which fully covers the gears. Brg "Brg" stands for "Bridge" the term used to describe a movement with all the wheels except the barrel held between narrow bridge forms and the pillar plate.

The term is also used to describe such elements when there are also larger multiple pivot plate elements in the design. Jewelling "Jewels" or "Jewelling" refer to the number of jewels used in the watch to reduce friction on the bearing points.

Additional jewels if used would typically be found on the plates for jewelling the gear train. The word pair is abbreviated Pr in database reports. Additional cap jewels are listed as their count i. Notations found in the database are as follows: Plain 7 jewels including 2 hole jewels and 2 cap jewels on the balance, 2 pallet stones and the impulse stone on the balance. Normally seen in exports to England.

None have been observed so the location of the unjeweled pivot is unknown. Essentially all the early ones are AWCo grade and have cap jewels in addition to hole jewels.

This results in 19 and sometimes 21 jewels. Most have cap jewels in addition. Normally on the balance but also on other arbors e. Steel or Gold or Nickel refer to the material from which the balance is made. This implies a plain balance without screws or a cut rim. Mono "Mono" is short for "monometallic" balance, which was the term used for the 20th century solid balance used with temperature insensitive hairsprings Conel for Waltham.

The balance material has a proprietary name also but I have not found it. Chrono "Chrono" is short for "chronometer" balance, and is an early term used by Waltham for a higher grade expansion balance.

Style refers to the type of case for which the movement was designed. The pendant is at 90 degrees from the 4th wheel. Various dials can put the dial numbers at other positions OF "OF" refers to an "open face" case movement, which has the winding pendant at the 12 o'clock position, and does not have a cover that closes over the face.

The pendant is degrees from the 4th wheel and seconds indication. Sky "Skylight"" refers to an open face case with an enlarged bezel that covers a portion of the dial. Usually found on smaller watches with a hunting type movement and no seconds bit on the dial. Opera "Opera" refers to a specific model of case patented by Ezra C. Marsh "Marsh" refers to a specific model of case patented by Edward A.

Marsh that used an inner guard with movement holder and cuvette to provide protection for the movement with a thin hinged back case of gold on the outside to provide an inexpensive but sturdy gold case. It requires a specially modified movement listed as Marsh in the Grey Book. Rect "Rect. Almost all rectangular movements have the hunting or 90 degree configuration Comment Contains anything that did not fit in with the standard fields.

Sometimes this is commentary by the transcribers. Sometimes it is material that was distributed across the columns in the original manuscript. For serial numbers above 7,, The comment field contains the page number from the printed serial number list.

Sometimes just "CH" Pat Reg. Waltham etched a serial number on every watch movement along with its name and trademark. Unlike other watchmakers, Waltham went the extra step by usually identifying the model of the watch on the movement as well.

This information can be used to find the year that the watch was made. Use a flat blunt blade to pry open the snap case back of a Waltham wrist watch. If there is no lip, carefully wedge the blade into the seam and lift.

The case should pop open. Carefully examine the case back of a Waltham pocket watch. Pocket watch case backs vary in design and require different methods to open.

Pry the case at the opposite end of the case back first with a fingernail. The case should snap open. Hunting cases feature front and back covers.

Look up production dates online, on sites like Oldwatch. Corresponding years and serial numbers will be listed. If the serial number is between two dates, it was made in the earlier date. If your watch has a cover, look on the inside. A 'K' with a number means the case is made of gold, and the number indicates how many carats it is. For instance, 'K18' means the case is made out of carat gold. If 'adjusted' is on the movement on the back of the watch, that means the watch has been adjusted to keep time in various conditions, which adds value to the watch.

If your watch case is difficult to open with your fingernail, do not force it open or pry it open with a knife, you could easily damage the case or the crystal. Take it to a jeweler.

Waltham Pocket Watch Value By Serial Number List Open the back cover of the watch with your fingernail and look for identifying names -- a magnifying glass or loupe may be necessary. This is also on the movement and can be used to date the watch.